Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’, particularly selected for its good fruit quality and flavor, large berry size, early production, and open canopy for ease of harvest, is disclosed.

Latin name:

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ originated from a controlled cross between the proprietary female parent ‘48AC198’ (unpatented) and the male parent ‘DrisStrawSeventySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,271). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in April 2016. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ was later specifically identified and selected in Ventura County, Calif. in October 2016.

‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing at test plots in Ventura County, Calif. for six years (2016 to 2022). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ was particularly selected for its good fruit quality and flavor, large berry size, early production, and open canopy for ease of harvest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are six months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lower surface (top row) and upper surface (bottom row) of leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’.

FIG. 5 illustrates an aerial view of a whole plant of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a whole plant of variety ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Ventura County, Calif. from 2016 to 2022. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ was taken from plants that were six months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘48AC198’             (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—‘DrisStrawSeventySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             32,271). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—25 cm.         -   Diameter.—31.4 cm.         -   Height/width ratio.—0.80.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—5.         -   Growth habit.—Upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Sparse.         -   Vigor.—Medium. -   Stolon:     -   -   Diameter (at bract).—4.9 mm.         -   Overall color.—RHS 146D (Moderate yellow green).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 58A (Moderate purplish red).         -   Density of pubescence.—Medium. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length (from crown to base of terminal flower or             fruit).—17.8 cm.         -   Diameter (at base of truss).—1.2 cm.         -   Number of berries per truss.—8.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Semi-erect.         -   Color (at base of truss).—RHS 146D (Moderate yellow green). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS 137A (Moderate olive             green).         -   Color of leaf lower surface.—RHS 138B (Moderate yellow             green).         -   Blistering.—Medium.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 7.6 cm. Width: 7.1 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.07. Number of teeth per terminal             leaflet: 23. Overall shape: Orbicular. Shape of base:             Obtuse. Shape of apex: Rounded. Margin: Crenate. Margin             profile: Revolute (Margins rolled backwards). Shape in cross             section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 20.5 cm. Diameter: 4.5 mm. Overall color:             RHS 144C (Strong yellow green). Pubescence: Dense. Attitude             of hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present             on each petiole): 0.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 6.4 mm. Diameter: 1.9 mm. Color: RHS 144C             (Strong yellow green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 36.7 mm. Width: 10.1 mm. Stipule color: RHS             137A (Moderate olive green). Anthocyanin coloration: Absent             or very weak. Pubescence: Medium. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers per plant.—11.         -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Same             level.         -   Flowering interval.—November to June.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 27.5 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Larger.             Stamen: Present. Receptacle color: RHS 144B (Strong yellow             green). Anther color: RHS 153B (Strong greenish yellow).         -   Petal.—Length: 13.3 mm. Width: 13.5 mm. Length/width ratio:             0.99. Number of petals per flower: 7. Color of upper             surface: RHS NN155B (White). Color of lower surface: RHS             NN155C (White). Overall shape: Orbicular. Shape of apex:             Rounded. Margin: Entire. Shape of base: Convex.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 43.9 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length: 18.6 mm. Width: 8.8 mm. Number of sepals per             flower: 12. Overall shape: Elliptical. Margin: Entire. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 49.2 mm. Width: 38.3 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.28.         -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 26.3 mm. Width: 11.3 mm. Length/width             ratio: 2.34.         -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—Slight.         -   Fruit color.—RHS N45 (Moderate red).         -   Evenness of color.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Narrow.         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Raised.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Upwards.         -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Slightly             larger.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Strong.         -   Firmness.—Medium firm.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 35A (Moderate reddish             orange).         -   Evenness of flesh color.—Uneven.         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.         -   Color of core.—RHS 35B (Moderate reddish orange).         -   Sweetness/soluble solids (in °Brix).—8.7.         -   Titratable acidity (% as citric acid).—0.70%.         -   Individual fruit weight.—29.6 g/fruit.         -   Achenes.—Number of achenes per fruit: 357. Weight: 0.00075             g/achene. Color of upper (sunward) side: RHS 53A (Deep red).             Color of lower (shaded) side: RHS 144B (Strong yellow             green).         -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: December to May. Type of             bearing: Partially remontant. Productivity: 15,246 kg to             33,911 kg of fruit per hectare per season from six-month-old             plants when grown in Ventura County, Calif. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately resistant.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.         -   Anthracnose crown rot (colletotrichum acutatum).—Moderately             resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ differs from the female parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘48AC198’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ has larger fruit size, more uniform fruit appearance, and more open plant canopy than ‘48AC198’.

‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ differs from the male parent and reference variety ‘DrisStrawSeventySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 32,271) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ has sparse density of foliage, large flower diameter, cylindrical fruit shape, and absent or very weak stipule anthocyanin coloration, whereas ‘DrisStrawSeventySeven’ has medium density of foliage, medium flower diameter, cordate fruit shape, and medium stipule anthocyanin coloration.

‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,400) in that ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ has medium stolon anthocyanin coloration, crenate terminal leaflet margins, cylindrical fruit shape, and the width of band without achenes on the fruit is narrow, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentySeven’ has strong stolon anthocyanin coloration, serrate leaflet margins, conical fruit shape, and the width of band without achenes on the fruit is very broad. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawNinetyNine’ as shown and described herein. 